John Watts papers

1947-1982

John Watts was born July 16th, 1930. He received his BA from the University of Tennessee, his Masters in Musicology from the University of Colorado and completed doctoral studies at the University of Illinois and Cornell University. Some of his teachers included Cecil Effinger, Roy Harris, John Krueger, Robert Palmer, Burrill Phillips and David Van Vactor. In 1950 Watts entered military service and served for two years as a clarinetist, dance band pianist and arranger in the 75th and 179th Army Bands, Special Services. After this he taught briefly at the Army-Navy Music School in Washington, DC. During this time he married his first wife, Mary. He held many teaching positions over the years including posts at the University of Colorado, North Dakota State College, International Institute of Music, Puerto Rico, and Staten Island Community College. He was also the editor of the Manhattan East newspaper, a graphic designer and a free lance writer. In the fall of 1964, Watts founded the Composers Theatre, and in 1966 he became the president of its parent organization, the Composers and Choreographers Theatre. In 1969 he became a member of the faculty at the New School for Social Research in New York. Watts was the director of the ARP Electronic Music Program, and the Music Workshops coordinator. During this time Watts met and married his second wife, Laura Foreman. Over the years Watts produced over 100 compositions in all forms, primarily chamber music and dance scores. He also had an interest in children’s theater. Starting in 1969 Watts began to incorporate electronic elements into his compositions, and became an adept ARP synthesizer soloist. His works and performances helped to popularize the electronic synthesizer as a musical instrument. John Watts died on July 2, 1982 at the age of 52.